Podcast Magic/Snap-on phone charger/OpenWebcam Database

Recomendo - issue #485

Podcast note service

Here’s a new hack for me. I occasionally want to capture a moment I heard while a podcast is playing on my phone. I’d like to keep that passage as a note. So when I hear something I want to keep I yell to my phone “Siri (or Google), take a screenshot.” It captures an image of my podcast app (Overcast) with a timestamp showing. Later I forward that image to a certain email and within a minute I get back the text transcript of the previous 90 seconds, which I can file. This service, called Podcast Magic, requires no app, no sign-in, no ongoing subscription. In the beginning they are free; at some point they ask for a one-time $20 lifetime fee if you use it a lot. — KK

Snap-on phone charger

While exploring Berlin, my phone battery was draining fast from constant Google Maps use and museum audio guides. I had a portable charger and cable, but they were awkward to use while walking. I stepped into Berlin’s Apple Store and walked out with an Anker 621 MagGo magnetic portable charger. This slim 5,000mAh power bank magnetically snaps to newer iPhones. No more fumbling with cables and separate battery packs. It warms slightly during use, but the convenience far outweighs this minor issue. Perfect for travel, it slips easily into any pocket. — MF

Directory of open webcams

Directories like the OpenWebcam Database always help me reset between tasks. This website has more than 2,000 live cameras streaming daily from over 50 countries, all searchable by category. You’ll find natural landscapes, airports, construction sites, and warehouses like this one. I love these windows into everyday life around the world. — CD

Innovative drama

Adolescence, on Netflix, is one of the most intense, surprising, and satisfying dramas I’ve ever seen. It deserves all the Emmys it’s won. The story explores the consequences of crime on an accused family. Filmed in northern England, you should keep the subtitles on. The drama’s self-imposed, innovative constraint of containing no cuts, no editing (!), for each of its four hours, means that each episode is like a theatrical performance but incredibly intimate via a camera. It is mesmerizing and heartbreakingly memorable. Highly recommended. — KK

Fast AI transcription

Scriber Pro is a $3.99 macOS app that delivers incredibly fast, private audio recording transcription. It processes everything locally on my Mac. Unlike cloud services charging $10+ monthly, Scriber Pro requires no subscriptions and never uploads your files. It supports all common audio/video formats and has multiple export options. — MF

Curated design finds

I’m enjoying Curated Supply’s once-a-week email because I get to discover beautiful tools and objects selected by Justin, the curator, who prioritizes design and utility over disposable consumer goods. While there are always links to buy, I don’t feel like that’s the purpose of this newsletter. It’s an appreciation of craftsmanship, timeless design, and beautiful form. — CD

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Recomendo is published by Cool Tools Lab, a small company of three people. We also run the Cool Tools website, a YouTube channel and podcast, and other newsletters, including Gar’s Tips & Tools, Nomadico, What’s in my NOW?, Tools for Possibilities, Books That Belong On Paper and Book Freak.